New BMOC at MTV

As GM, Friedman is college channel's principal

Stephen Friedman, GM/executive vp of college-based network mtvU, has been named head of MTV.

Friedman, who will take the title GM of MTV, replaces Christina Norman, who exited her post as president in February after 17 years at the company.

Friedman will oversee the day-to-day operations, strategy and management of MTV as well as MTV.com, MTV2, MTV Tres, MTV Hits and MTV Jams.

Friedman has been head of mtvU since 2003. Under his leadership, the network's distribution has increased 70%, and the number of advertising partners has quintupled. He also oversaw the acquisitions of the College Media Network and RateMyProfessors.com as well as the establishment of mtvU's award- winning campaign to fight genocide in Darfur.

In the summer, Friedman also assumed leadership of MTV Tres, aimed at bicultural Latino youth.

As GM of MTV, he will be based in New York and report to Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music/Logo/Films Group. (partialdiff)